Indian Railways has introduced strict new ticket cancellation rules for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. Under the updated policy, passengers will now face higher deductions if they cancel their tickets late. The main objective of these rules is to reduce last-minute cancellations and ensure better utilization of seats.
New Cancellation Rules for Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
According to the latest guidelines, refunds for Vande Bharat Sleeper train tickets will depend on how early the ticket is cancelled.
Cancellation More Than 72 Hours Before Departure
If a ticket is cancelled more than 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, 25 percent of the fare will be deducted. The passenger will receive a 75 percent refund.
Cancellation Between 72 Hours and 8 Hours Before Departure
If the ticket is cancelled between 72 hours and 8 hours before the train departs, 50 percent of the fare will be deducted. In this case, only 50 percent of the ticket amount will be refunded.
Cancellation Within 8 Hours of Train Departure
If the ticket is cancelled within 8 hours of the train’s departure time, no refund will be provided. The entire ticket fare will be forfeited.
Why Have These Rules Been Changed?
Indian Railways will now prepare the final reservation chart for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains 8 hours before departure. Due to this change, the refund timeline has also been modified. This system is expected to improve seat management and reduce revenue loss caused by last-minute cancellations.
How Are These Rules Different from Normal Trains?
In regular trains, a fixed cancellation charge is deducted based on the class of travel. However, in Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, the deduction is based on a percentage of the total fare. Since these trains are categorized as premium services, stricter rules have been applied.
No RAC or Waiting List Facility
Only confirmed tickets will be issued for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. There will be no RAC or waiting list system. This means passengers without confirmed tickets will not be allowed to travel.
Important Advice for Passengers
Passengers should plan their journeys carefully before booking tickets. Last-minute cancellations can result in heavy financial loss. To avoid unnecessary deductions, tickets should be cancelled well in advance if travel plans chang